When we first discussed what communication ethics was, I had my own ideas and beliefs as to what it was. I did notice that most of my ideas were valid, but there were some that differed. From what we discussed in class communication ethics is sort of up in the air as far as interpretation goes, as long as it falls under the umbrella of "moral." I say this because in most situations there is a proper way to communicate your emotions,thoughts, ideas, beliefs, feelings, etc. There is also a wrong way to express them. In relation to the film Les Misérables there were several examples of how communication ethics is used. Id like to address one scene in particular.
In the scene when Fantine was out on the streets, she got into a scuffle with an upperclass citizen who tried to assault her and discredit her value. The upperclass citizen did so by claiming that "this one thinks she has virtue,"while sexually assaulting Fantine. In response to his assault, Fantine had no choice but to respond back to him with force. This entire situation was an example of how communication ethics was not used, or used in a way to diminish someone else's reputation. Shortly after the assault an officer of the law came into the scene and demanded to know what happened, the upperclass citizen immediately clung to his status to make it seem as though Fantine was at fault. And since Fantine wasn't seen as an upperclass citizens, all the accusations made by the upperclass citizens seemed valid. Which left Fantine no choice, but to try to use her words to work her way out of the situation. She did so by telling the truth and trying to appeal to Javert's humanity stating, "please sir, I have a daughter and if I go to jail she will die." This specific situation shows how communication ethics can be used in a useful manner, even though the result was to no avail and Javert was still going to arrest Fantine if she wasn't saved by Jean Valjean.
The final part of this scene I think was important in showing how communication ethics can be used was when Jean Valjean tried to help Fantine. Fantine was upset with Jean Valjean, and blamed him for her current situation. Fantine could have easily received help from Jean, but instead wanted to to make him feel guilty. This scene could have worked out many different ways, but if she would have communicated her feelings in a positive manner things would have been much less dramatic.
I, too, felt the interaction between Fantine and her "gentleman client" to be a prime example of failed communication and failed communication ethics. The focus on the difference in class between the two characters and how that affected their treatment by Javert is an example of how, despite changes in time and location, the same instances of discrimination can - and do - happen still. Often, people are discredited based on stereotyped assumptions of class and status. Even children are ignored because they are believed to hold little sway or insight.
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